When comic cons attack: nerd on nerd violence

It appears that Salt Lake Comic Con (SLComic Con) has San Diego Comic-Con’s (SDCC) attention. In a letter served to SLComic Con, SDCC’s lawyers have ordered that Dan Farr Productions “cease and desist” from using the Comic Con name. In a press release from SLComic Con, Farr is quoted as saying, “We’re puzzled why Salt Lake Comic Con was apparently singled out amongst the hundreds of Comic Cons around the country and the world.” In the midst of its success this weekend, SDCC fired this salvo at their closest threat. As Farr stated, there are hundreds of comic cons worldwide. “Comic con” is short for “comic book convention” though most have expanded far beyond that niche. However, it is easy to see why SDCC would target Farr and his event. SLComic Con holds the records for the largest inaugural comic con, the largest convention ever in Utah, and became the third largest comic con in the country with its FanXperience in April, the group’s second event. This should give SDCC plenty to worry about. SLComic Con is like Rocky in the first film or like David facing Goliath, at least in experience if not in size. While SDCC may be getting complacent in its ability to host the biggest announcements and the best sneak peeks, SLComic Con is hungry. Utah has a special connection to films. The Sundance Film Festival is just one example. Go to the Capitol Building and take a look at the film exhibit. Utah even has the Salt Lake Film Society and the Utah Film Center. Utahns love films, and they love nerd entertainment. With the number of films that are shot in Utah, it would be nothing for SLComic Con to garner bigger announcements than San Diego as soon as September, especially with its audience size and its proximity to summer. Marvel has already stepped in as a sponsor. Salt Lake City is a scant 10-hour drive from Hollywood. It would be nothing for companies to ship their convention presence from L.A. to Salt Lake, especially if they know that they will be able to reach as many or more people than what they get at SDCC. If SLComic Con becomes bigger than SDCC, Farr and his team will certainly get some of the bigger announcements that are traditionally given in San Diego. Farr, Bryan Brandenberg and the SLComic Con team bring an energy to Salt Lake that is seldom seen anywhere. Look at the lineups from last year, FanX and this year. The guests are tremendous for a new event. Not only are they able to use that energy in recruiting people, but others have recruited for them – Lou Ferrigno got Stan Lee to come to Salt Lake last year. SDCC cannot rest on its laurels if it wants to be the largest comic con in the United States. According to the SLComic Con release and Brandenberg, “San Diego Comic-Con attempted to trademark ‘Comic Con’ in 1995 and the application failed…nobody owns the words ‘Comic Con’ (short for comic convention) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office has already ruled on this.” In the end, the real question is if this action is even necessary. There is enough nerd love to go around that two of the greatest convention involved in nerd culture should not be wasting resources battling it out in the court of law. The only winners there, regardless of the decision, will be the lawyers. It would be a better decision on the part of SDCC to work at upping the ante; rather than try to drag down its competition. Farr is a competitor, so there should be no question of him giving up the Comic Con name. Instead of fighting each other and draining resources, nerd organizations should work together for the betterment of nerds everywhere. At least this battle will be able to answer the “who would win in a fight” question.Read Will Cohen's summary on examiner.com of the August 6 press conference